Generating audio representative of an entity

ABSTRACT

Within a network-based system, an entity may be identified by an identifier of the entity. An audio generation machine may be configured to generate an audio piece that represents the entity, and the audio generation machine may generate the audio piece based on the identifier of the entity. Hence, the audio piece generated by the audio generation machine may be representative of the entity, and playback of the audio piece may identify the entity, reference the entity, highlight the entity, suggest the entity, or otherwise call the entity to mind (e.g., for one or more listeners of the audio piece). Thus, the generated audio piece may function as an audio-based avatar of the entity (e.g., a representative of the entity within a virtual world). Furthermore, the audio piece may be shared (e.g., in a social networking context or a social shopping context).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to the processingof data. Specifically, the present disclosure addresses systems andmethods to facilitate generation of audio that is representative of anentity.

BACKGROUND

A network-based system may create, store, and manage representations ofvarious entities and various relationships between entities. Examples ofentities include users (e.g., buyers, sellers, or administrators),products (e.g., items that are specimens of a product), orclassifications (e.g., categories, catalogs, groups of users, or groupsof products). For example, a product within a category may be availablefor purchase from a seller, and the seller may seek to merchandise oneor more items as instances or specimens of the product. The product maytake the form of a good or a service. Examples of goods include physicalitems (e.g., a digital camera or a car) and information items (e.g.,downloaded data). Examples of services include human services (e.g.,contracted work) and automated services (e.g., subscriptions). Otherexamples of products include authorizations (e.g., access to services,licenses, or encryption keys). In merchandising an item, the seller mayuse a network-based system to present an advertisement of the item to auser of the network-based system (e.g., a potential buyer of the item).Examples of network-based systems include commerce systems (e.g.,shopping websites), publication systems (e.g., classified advertisementwebsites), listing systems (e.g., gift registries), transaction systems(e.g., payment websites), and social network systems (e.g., Facebook® orTwitter®). Examples of advertisements include a banner ad, a sidebar ad,a pop-up ad, a tool tip, a search result referencing the item, a listingfor the item (e.g., within a list of items available for purchase), areview of the item, a comment on the item, or any suitable combinationthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating a network environment suitablefor generating audio that represents an entity, according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of an audio generationmachine suitable for generating audio that represents an entity,according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating generation of an audio piecebased on an identifier of an entity, according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 4-7 are flowcharts illustrating operations of the audio generationmachine in performing a method of generating audio that represents anentity, according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine,according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from amachine-readable medium and perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems are directed to generation of audio that isrepresentative of an entity. Examples merely typify possible variations.Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions areoptional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary insequence or be combined or subdivided. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will beevident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subjectmatter may be practiced without these specific details.

Within a network-based system, an entity may be identified by anidentifier of the entity. The identifier may be assigned to the entityby the network-based system (e.g., a part number for a product),generated by the entity itself (e.g., a username for a user), or anysuitable combination thereof (e.g., a user-selected username that isselected from a list of allowable usernames, or a user-submittedusername that conforms to a format imposed by the network-based system).

The audio generation machine may form all or part of a network-basedsystem within which an entity (e.g., a user, a product, or a category)corresponds to an identifier (e.g., entity identifier) of that entity,and the audio generation machine may be configured (e.g., by software)to generate an audio piece that represents the entity. The audiogeneration machine may generate the audio piece based on the identifierof the entity. As examples, the audio generation machine may beconfigured to generate music (e.g., played by a speaker in the audiogeneration machine or connected thereto), a sound effect (e.g., one ormore sampled or synthesized sounds, tones, or noises), an audio file(e.g., in Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) format, Windows Media Audio (WMA)format, or other commercial or non-commercial audio file format), aMusical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) file, a multitrack audiodata file (e.g., readable by a multitrack digital audio editorapplication), or any suitable combination thereof.

Accordingly, the audio piece generated by the audio generation machinemay be representative of the entity, and playback of the audio piece mayidentify the entity, reference the entity, highlight the entity, suggestthe entity, or otherwise call the entity to mind (e.g., for one or morelisteners of the audio piece). Thus, the audio piece may function as anaudio-based avatar of the entity (e.g., a representative of the entitywithin a virtual world). Furthermore, the audio piece may be shared(e.g., in a social networking context or a social shopping context). Forexample, a user of a network-based system may share an audio piece thatrepresents the user with one or more friends of the user (e.g., as apersonalized ring tone, signature, or audio business card). As anotherexample, the user may share an audio piece that represents a product(e.g., as an indication of the product being on the user's wish list ora recent purchase of the user).

FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating a network environment 100suitable for generating audio that represents an entity, according tosome example embodiments. The network environment 100 includes an audiogeneration machine 110, a database 115, and devices 130 and 150, allcommunicatively coupled to each other via a network 190. In some exampleembodiments, the database 115 is connected to the audio generationmachine 110 by a separate network or a direct wired or wirelessconnection. The audio generation machine 110, the database 115, and thedevices 130 and 150 may each be implemented in a computer system, inwhole or in part, as described below with respect to FIG. 8.

The audio generation machine 110 may be configured, labeled, orotherwise treated as an audio avatar composer (e.g., a machineconfigured to compose one or more audio avatars for an entity, such as auser). In various example embodiments, the audio generation machine 110takes the form of a sound file generator (e.g., a machine configured togenerate an audio file or sound file to represent an entity), an audiofile composer, or any suitable combination thereof.

The database 115 may be configured to store one or more identifiers ofentities (e.g., entity identifiers). Examples of identifiers forentities include a username of a user, a user number of a user, aproduct number of a product, a part number of a product, a stock-keepingunit (SKU) number of a product, an item number for an item (e.g., as aspecimen of a product), a serial number of an item, a category number ofa category, a catalog number of a catalog, a group member of a group(e.g., of users, products, items, categories, or catalogs), or anysuitable combination thereof.

Furthermore, the database 115 may store one or more musical schemas(e.g., musical templates or musical profiles) that may be used by theaudio generation machine 110 (e.g., according to a selection of amusical schema by a user) in generating an audio piece that representsan entity. A musical schema may define or specify one or morecharacteristics of a musical style, such as genre (e.g., rock or jazz),tempo (e.g., 144 beats per minute), time signature (e.g., 4/4 or ¾), keysignature (e.g., G, D sharp, or B flat), rhythm (e.g., tango or bossanova), scale (e.g., major or minor), musical instrument voice (e.g.,piano, clarinet, or timpani), or any suitable combination thereof.

As shown, the audio generation machine 110, the database 115, or both,may form all or part of a network-based system 105. As noted above, thenetwork-based system 105 may be a commerce system (e.g., a shoppingwebsite or an auction website), a listing system (e.g., a wish listserver or a gift registry system), a publication system (e.g., a blog,news website, or classified advertisement server), a transaction system(e.g., a payment processing system or a money transfer system), a socialnetworking system (e.g., a system that provides one or more socialnetwork services, such as Facebook® or Twitter®), or a suitablecombination thereof.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are users 132 and 152. One or both of the users 132and 152 may be a human user (e.g., a human being), a machine user (e.g.,a computer configured by a software program to interact with the device130), or any suitable combination thereof (e.g., a human assisted by amachine or a machine supervised by a human). The user 132 is not part ofthe network environment 100, but is associated with the device 130 andmay be a user of the device 130. For example, the device 130 may be adesktop computer, a vehicle computer, a tablet computer, a navigationaldevice, a portable media device, or a smart phone belonging to the user132. Likewise, the user 152 is not part of the network environment 100,but is associated with the device 150. As an example, the device 150 maybe a desktop computer, a vehicle computer, a tablet computer, anavigational device, a portable media device, or a smart phone belongingto the user 152.

Any of the machines, databases, or devices shown in FIG. 1 may beimplemented in a general-purpose computer modified (e.g., configured orprogrammed) by software to be a special-purpose computer to perform thefunctions described herein for that machine. For example, a computersystem able to implement any one or more of the methodologies describedherein is discussed below with respect to FIG. 8. As used herein, a“database” is a data storage resource and may store data structured as atext file, a table, a spreadsheet, a relational database (e.g., anobject-relational database), a triple store, a hierarchical data store,or any suitable combination thereof. Moreover, any two or more of themachines illustrated in FIG. 1 may be combined into a single machine,and the functions described herein for any single machine may besubdivided among multiple machines.

The network 190 may be any network that enables communication betweenmachines (e.g., the audio generation machine 110 and the device 130).Accordingly, the network 190 may be a wired network, a wireless network(e.g., a mobile or cellular network), or any suitable combinationthereof. The network 190 may include one or more portions thatconstitute a private network, a public network (e.g., the Internet), orany suitable combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of the audiogeneration machine 110, according to some example embodiments. The audiogeneration machine 110 includes an access module 210, a generationmodule 220, and a presentation module 230, all configured to communicatewith each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or a switch). Someexample embodiments of the audio generation machine 110 also include astorage module 240, a share module 250, or both, similarly configured tocommunicate with other modules of the audio generation machine 110. Anyone or more of the modules described herein may be implemented usinghardware (e.g., a processor of a machine) or a combination of hardwareand software. For example, any module described herein may configure aprocessor to perform the operations described herein for that module.Moreover, any two or more of these modules may be combined into a singlemodule, and the functions described herein for a single module may besubdivided among multiple modules. Functions of the modules within theaudio generation machine 110 are described below with respect to FIG.4-7.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating generation of an audio piece360 based on an identifier 310 of an entity, according to some exampleembodiments. The identifier 310 is illustrated as an identifier of anentity (e.g., entity identifier). The identifier 310 may be or include auser name, a user number, an item number, a product SKU number, thecategory number, a catalog number, some other identifier of the entity,or any suitable combination thereof. According to various exampleembodiments, the identifier 310 identifies (e.g., uniquely) an entity(e.g., of a particular entity type or included in a particular entitycategory) among multiple entities (e.g., of the same entity type orincluded in the same entity category) that are represented within thedatabase 115.

The audio piece 360 may be or include music, a sound effect (e.g., asampled or synthesized sound, tone, or noise), an audio file, a MIDIfile, multitrack audio data, or any suitable combination thereof.According to various example embodiments, the audio piece 360 isrepresentative of the entity identified by the identifier 310. That is,the audio piece 360 may represent the entity that is identified by theidentifier 310. Accordingly, the audio piece 360 may form all or part ofan audio avatar that corresponds to the entity identified by theidentifier 310.

As shown in FIG. 3, a classification code 320 may be extracted (e.g.,parsed or hashed) from the identifier 310. For example, the identifier310 may include the classification code 320, and the audio generationmachine 110 may extract the classification code 320 from the identifier310. The classification code 320 defines, indicates, or specifies aclassification (e.g., entity type or entity category) to which theidentifier 310 belongs, and hence, the classification code 320 maydefine, indicate, or specify that the entity belongs to theclassification that corresponds to the classification code 320. Forexample, supposing the entity is the user 132, the classification code320 may indicate a tenure of the user 132 (e.g., user tenure) withrespect to the network-based system 105, with certain digits orcharacters in the identifier 310 signifying (e.g., encoding) how longthe user 132 has used the network-based system 105 (e.g., less than oneyear or more than 10 years). As another example, the classification code320 may indicate a geographical region of the entity (e.g., time zone,country, state, city, or address), with certain digits or characters inthe identifier 310 signifying the geographical region. As a furtherexample, the classification code 320 may indicate the performance of arewardable action (e.g., task) by the user 132, with certain digits orcharacters in the identifier 310 signifying that the user 132 hasperformed the rewardable action (e.g., an action or task that rendersthe user 132 eligible to receive or be represented by an audio avatarthat incorporates a special piece of music that corresponds to theaction or task).

A musical style 324 may be determined by the audio generation machine110 based on the classification code 320. The musical style 324 maydefine, indicate, or specify all or part of a musical schema (e.g.,musical template or musical profile) and accordingly may define,indicate, or specify a genre, a tempo, a time signature, a keysignature, a rhythm, a scale, or any suitable combination thereof. Asshown, the musical style 324 may be used by the audio generation machine110 in generating the audio piece 360. For example, the audio piece 360may be generated based on (e.g., according to) the musical style 324.

In some example embodiments, the audio generation machine 110 determinesthe musical style 324 based on a musical schema (e.g., in addition tothe classification code 320), and such a musical schema may bedetermined by the audio generation machine 110, determined by the user132 (e.g., via selection from a list of available musical schemas), orany combination thereof. For example, the audio generation machine 110may offer a selection of available musical schemas to the user 132(e.g., via the device 130), and the user 132 may submit a selection of aparticular musical schema to the audio generation machine 110, which maydetermine the musical style 324 based on the selected musical schema. Incertain example embodiments, the audio generation machine 110 maydetermine the musical schema based on the classification code 320. Forexample, the classification code 320 may indicate a type or category ofthe entity, and the audio generation machine 110 may determine themusical schema based on the entity's type or category (e.g., a smoothand soft musical schema for products classified as baby accessories, ora fast and aggressive musical schema for products classified aselectronics).

Moreover, a musical instrument voice 326 may be determined by the audiogeneration machine 110 based on the classification code 320, the musicalstyle 324, or both. The musical instrument voice 326 may be anysynthesized or sampled sound, tone, noise, or any suitable combinationthereof (e.g., an orchestra sound produced by layering together soundsof various orchestra instruments). In some example embodiments, amusical style 324 is at least partially determined based on the musicalinstrument voice 326. For example, the musical instrument voice 326 maybe determined to be an oboe (e.g., a synthesized or sampled oboe sound),a piano (e.g., a synthesized or sampled piano sound), a sound effect(e.g., a synthesized or sampled thunderclap or bird chirp), or any othersynthesized or sampled sound, tone, or noise. As shown, the musicalinstrument voice 326 may be used by the audio generation machine 110 ingenerating the audio piece 360. For example, the audio piece 360 mayinclude one or more sounds, tones, or noises voiced (e.g., played) bythe musical instrument voice 326.

Furthermore, music 328 to be included in the audio piece 360 may bedetermined by the audio generation machine 110 based on theclassification code 320, the musical style 324, the musical instrumentvoice 326, or any suitable combination thereof. In some exampleembodiments, the musical instrument voice 326 is at least partiallydetermined based on the music 328 to be included in the audio piece 360.For example, the music 328 may be or include an audio clip correspondingto a rewardable action which may be an action or task that renders auser (e.g., user 132) eligible to have the music 328 (e.g., a specialfanfare or theme song) incorporated into an audio avatar generated forthat user. As shown, the music 328 may be used by the audio generationmachine 110 in generating the audio piece 360. For example, the audiopiece 360 may incorporate the music 328 (e.g., by inclusion or byreference).

As shown in FIG. 3, digits 330, 340, and 350 may be extracted from theidentifier 310. For example, the audio generation machine 110 mayextract the digit 330 as a first digit (e.g., a hundreds digit), extractthe digit 340 as a second digit (e.g., the tens digit), and extract thedigit 350 as a third digit (e.g., a ones digit). Any one or more of thedigits 330, 340, or 350 may be a numeric digit or an alphabeticcharacter. As an example, supposing the identifier 310 is “0987654321,”the “3” may be extracted as the digit 330; the “2” may be extracted asthe digit 340; and the “1” may be extracted as the digit 350.

As shown, a melody 332 may be determined by the audio generation machine110, and the melody 332 may be determined based on the digit 330 (e.g.,the first digit). Determination of the melody 332 may includedetermination of a musical instrument voice (e.g., similar to themusical instrument voice 326) for the melody 332, determination of oneor more musical notes of the melody 332, determination of one or moresound effects to be included in the melody 332, or any suitablecombination thereof. As shown, the melody 332 may be used by the audiogeneration machine 110 in generating the audio piece 360. For example,the audio piece 360 may incorporate the melody 332 (e.g., by inclusionor by reference).

Likewise, a harmony 342 may be determined by the audio generationmachine 110, and the harmony 342 may be determined based on the digit340 (e.g., the second digit). Determination of the harmony 342 mayinclude determination of a musical instrument voice (e.g., similar tothe musical instrument voice 326) for the harmony 342, determination ofone or more musical notes of the harmony 342, determination of one ormore sound effects to be included in the harmony 342, or any suitablecombination thereof. As shown, the harmony 342 may be used by the audiogeneration machine 110 in generating the audio piece 360. For example,the audio piece 360 may incorporate the harmony 342 (e.g., by inclusionor by reference).

In a similar manner, a musical element 352 may be determined by theaudio generation machine 110, and the musical element 352 may bedetermined based on the digit 350 (e.g., the third digit). Examples ofthe musical element 352 include a counter melody, a rhythm, percussion(e.g., a drumbeat or a repeating loop of one or more percussioninstrument voices), or any suitable combination thereof. As shown, themusical elements 352 may be used by the audio generation machine 110 ingenerating the audio piece 360. For example, the audio piece 360 mayincorporate the musical element 352 (e.g., by inclusion or byreference).

Accordingly, the audio piece 360 may be generated by the audiogeneration machine 110 based on (e.g., with contributions from) theclassification code 320, the digits 330, 340, and 350, or any suitablecombination thereof. According to various example embodiments, one ormore digits (e.g., digit 330) is a basis for generation of the melody332; one or more digits (e.g., digit 340) is a basis for generation ofthe harmony 342; one or more digits (e.g., digit 350) is a basis forgeneration of the musical element 352; and the classification code 320is a basis for generation of the musical style 324, the musicalinstrument voice 326, the music 328 to be included in the audio piece360, or any suitable combination thereof. In some example embodiments,the classification code 320 takes the form of one or more digits similarto the digits 330, 340, and 350.

FIG. 4-7 are flowcharts illustrating operations of the audio generationmachine 110 in performing a method 400 of generating audio thatrepresents an entity, according to some example embodiments. Operationsin the method 400 may be performed by the audio generation machine 110,using modules described above with respect to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG.4, the method 400 includes operations 410, 420, and 430.

In operation 410, the access module 210 accesses the identifier 310(e.g., from the database 115). As noted above, the identifier 310 mayidentify an entity among multiple entities that are represented withinthe database 115. For example, the identifier 310 may uniquely identifyan entity of an entity type among multiple entities of that same entitytype represented in the database 115. As another example, the identifier310 may uniquely identify an entity within an entity classification(e.g., entity category) among multiple entities that are included in thesame entity classification, with respect to the database 115. In someexample embodiments, the identifier 310 identifies the user 132 (e.g.,as a user of the network-based system 105). Performance of operation 410may involve the access module 210 accessing the identifier 310 byaccessing a user name, user number, item number, product number,category number, catalog number, or any suitable combination thereof.

In operation 420, the generation module 220 generates the audio piece360. As noted above, the audio piece 360 may be representative of theentity identified by the identifier 310 (e.g., an audio-based avatarthat corresponds to the entity identified by the identifier 310).Generation of the audio piece 360 may be performed based on theidentifier 310 accessed in operation 410. For example, as noted abovewith respect to FIG. 3, generation of the audio piece 360 may beperformed based on the classification code 320, the digit 330, the digit340, the digit 350, or any suitable combination thereof, which may beextracted by the audio generation machine 110 from the identifier 310.In some example embodiments, the generation module 220 extracts theclassification code 320, the digit 330, the digit 340, the digit 350, orany suitable combination thereof, and generates the audio piece 360based thereon. Such extraction may be performed by parsing theidentifier 310, hashing the identifier 310, or both.

According to certain example embodiments, the generation module 220determines a musical schema, a musical style 324, or both, for the audiopiece 360 to be generated. As noted above with respect to FIG. 3, thismay be accomplished by determining a musical schema based on theclassification code 320 extracted from the identifier 310. The musicalschema may be determined based on the classification code 320, based ona selection submitted by the user (e.g., user 132), or any suitablecombination thereof. Hence, the musical style 324 may be determined bythe generation module 220 based on the determined musical schema.

According to some example embodiments, the generation module 220, aftergeneration of the audio piece 360, may initiate storage of the audiopiece 360 in the database 115 (e.g., for presentation at a later time).For example, the generation module 220 may signal or command the storagemodule 240 to store the audio piece 360 in the database 115, and thestorage module 240 may perform the storage of the audio piece 360 in thedatabase 115 (e.g., for subsequent access and presentation by thepresentation module 230).

In operation 430, the presentation module 230 presents the generatedaudio piece 360 that represents the entity identified by the identifier310. For example, the presentation module 230 may present the audiopiece 360 as a representation of the entity identified by the identifier310 (e.g., accessed in operation 410). Presentation of the audio piece360 may include accessing the audio piece 360 (e.g., from the database115), providing (e.g., communicating) the audio piece 360, playing theaudio piece 360, sharing the audio piece 360 (e.g., with the user 152,who may be a friend of the user 132), or any suitable combinationthereof. According to various example embodiments, the presentationmodule 230 may present the audio piece 360 by communicating all or partof the audio piece 360 to the device 130 (e.g., for presentation to theuser 132), to the device 150 (e.g., for presentation to the user 152),or both.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method 400 may include one or more of operations510, 520, 522, 524, 526, and 530. Operation 510 may be performed as part(e.g., a precursor task, a subroutine, or a portion) of operation 410,in which the access module 210 accesses the identifier 310. In operation510, the access module 210 accesses a user identifier that identifiesthe user 132 (e.g., a user number or username of the user 132). Forexample, the user identifier may form all or part of the identifier 310.As noted above, the user identifier may be assigned to the user 132 bythe network-based system 105, generated by the user 132, or any suitablecombination thereof.

One or more of operations 522, 524, 526, and 520 may be performed aspart of operation 420, in which the generation module 220 generates theaudio piece 360 based on the identifier 310. In operation 522, thegeneration module 220 parses the identifier 310 into one or more digits(e.g., digits 330, 340, and 350) or groups of digits (e.g., a group thatcontains the digits 330 and 340, as well as another group that containsthe digit 350). Operation 522 may be performed as all or part ofextracting the one or more digits from the identifier 310. As notedabove, the digit 330 may be deemed a first digit, and the digit 340 maybe deemed a second digit.

In operation 524, the generation module 220 composes the melody 332based on a digit (e.g., digit 330) parsed from the identifier 310. Forexample, the melody 332 may be composed by the generation module 220based on the digit 330 (e.g., the first digit), which may be parsed fromthe identifier 310 in operation 522. In alternative example embodiments,a different digit parsed from the identifier 310 is used as a basis forcomposing the melody 332.

In operation 526, the generation module 220 composes the harmony 342based on a digit (e.g., 340) parsed from the identifier 310. Forexample, the harmony 342 may be composed by the generation module 220based on the digit 340 (e.g., the second digit), which may be parsedfrom the identifier 310 in operation 522. In alternative exampleembodiments, a different digit parsed from the identifier 310 is used asa basis for composing the harmony 342.

In operation 520, the generation module 220 generates an audio avatar ofthe user 132. For example, the generation module 220 may generate theaudio piece 360 by generating the audio avatar of the user 132. That is,the audio avatar of the user 132 may be the same as the audio piece 360.As another example, the generation module 220 may generate the audiopiece 360 as including the audio avatar of the user 132. In other words,the audio avatar of the user 132 may be included in the audio piece 360(e.g., along with additional music, sounds, tones, or noises).

Operation 530 may be performed as part of operation 430, in which thepresentation module 230 presents the audio piece 360. In operation 530,the presentation module 230 presents a suggestion (e.g., within amessage, an alert, or a notifier) that the user 132 share the audiopiece 360 with the user 152 (e.g., a further user of the network-basedsystem 105). For example, the presentation module 230 may communicate apop-up message to the user 132 (e.g., via the device 130) that the audiopiece 360 has been generated and may be shared with friends of the user132, where the user 152 is included among the friends of the user 132(e.g., as represented within a model of a social network maintained bythe network-based system 105 and stored within the database 115).

As shown in FIG. 6, the method 400 may include one or more of operations610, 612, 614, 616, 620, 622, 624, and 626. One or more of operations610, 612, 614, and 616 may be performed as part of operation 410, inwhich the access module 210 accesses the identifier 310. One or more ofoperations 620, 622, 624, and 626 may be performed as part of operation420, in which the generation module 220 generates the audio piece 360.

In some example embodiments, the identifier 310 is or includes anidentifier of an item listed by the network-based system 105.Accordingly, the identifier 310 may be or include an item identifier(e.g., a listing number assigned to a listing of the item by thenetwork-based system 105) that identifies the item (e.g., uniquely)within the database 115. In operation 610, the access module 210accesses the item identifier that identifies the item listed by thenetwork-based system 105. Correspondingly, in operation 620, thegeneration module 220 generates an audio representation of the itemlisted by the network-based system 105. The audio representation thusgenerated may form all or part of the audio piece 360 generated inoperation 420.

In certain example embodiments, the identifier 310 is or includes anidentifier of a product advertised by the network-based system 105.Accordingly, the identifier 310 may be or include a product identifier(e.g., a SKU number that corresponds to the product) that identifies theproduct (e.g., uniquely) within the database 115. In operation 612, theaccess module 210 accesses the product identifier that identifies theproduct advertised by the network-based system 105. Correspondingly, inoperation 622, the generation module 220 generates an audiorepresentation of the product advertised by the network-based system105. The audio representation thus generated may form all or part of theaudio piece 360 generated in operation 420.

In various example embodiments, the identifier 310 is or includes anidentifier of a category of products that are advertised by thenetwork-based system 105. Accordingly, the identifier 310 may be orinclude a category identifier (e.g., a category label or a categorynumber) that identifies the category (e.g., uniquely) within thedatabase 115. In operation 614, the access module 210 accesses thecategory identifier that identifies the category of products advertisedby the network-based system 105. Correspondingly, in operation 624, thegeneration module 220 generates an audio representation of the categoryof products. The audio representation thus generated may form all orpart of the audio piece 360 generated in operation 420.

In some example embodiments, the identifier 310 is or includes anidentifier of a catalog that describes multiple categories of products(e.g., listed or advertised by the network-based system 105).Accordingly, the identifier 310 may be or include a catalog identifier(e.g., a catalogue label or a catalog number) that identifies thecatalog (e.g., uniquely) within the database 115. In operation 616, theaccess module 210 accesses the catalogue identifier that identifies thecatalog that describes the multiple categories of products.Correspondingly, in operation 626, the generation module 220 generatesan audio representation of the catalog that describes the multiplecategories of products. The audio representation thus generated may formall or part of the audio piece 360 generated in operation 420.

As shown in FIG. 7, the method 400 may include one or more of operations720, 722, 724, 725, 726, and 728. Operation 720 and 722 may be performedas part of operation 420, in which the generation module 220 generatesthe audio piece 360. In operation 720, the generation module 220extracts the classification code 320 from the identifier 310. Forexample, the generation module 220 may parse the identifier 310 toextract the classification code 320. As another example, the generationmodule 220 may hash the identifier 310 to extract the classificationcode 320. In some example embodiments, both parsing and hashing areperformed in operation 720.

In operation 722, the generation module 220 generates the audio piece360 based on the classification code 320 extracted in operation 720. Asnoted above with respect to FIG. 3, the generation of the audio piece360 may include or incorporate a musical style 324, the musicalinstrument voice 326, the music 328, or any suitable combinationthereof, any one or more of which may be generated based on theclassification code 320.

According to various example embodiments, the classification code 320indicates that the entity identified by the identifier 310 correspondsto a geographical region (e.g., a time zone, a country, a state, a city,or an address). In some of these example embodiments, performance ofoperation 722 includes selecting the musical instrument voice 326 basedon the geographical region that corresponds to the entity identified bythe identifier 310 (e.g., as indicated by the classification code 320).In certain example embodiments, performance of operation 722 includesselecting the musical style 324 based on the geographical region thatcorresponds to the entity identified by the identifier 310 (e.g., asindicated by the classification code 320).

According to some example embodiments, the classification code 320indicates that the entity is a member of (e.g., belongs to) a categorythat includes at least some of the multiple entities represented in thedatabase 115. If the entity is a user (e.g., the user 132), a categorymay be a category of users (e.g., new users or infrequent users). If theentity is a product or item, the category may be a category of productsor items (e.g., new products, products on sale, or popular products).Hence, performance of operation 722 may include selecting the musicalstyle 324 based on the category of which the entity is a member (e.g.,the category of the user 132 or the category of the product or item).

According to certain example embodiments, the entity is the user 132,and the identifier 310 is a user identifier of the user 132. In suchexample embodiments, the classification code 320 may indicate that theuser 132 has a tenure with respect to the network-based system 105, andthe classification code 320 may indicate that the tenure of the user 132transgresses a threshold value (e.g., a minimum tenure or a maximumtenure, expressed in months or years). Hence, performance of operation722 may include generating the audio piece 360 based on the tenure ofthe user 132. In particular, the generating of the audio piece 360 maybe based on the tenure of the user 132 transgressing the thresholdvalue.

In some example embodiments where the entity is the user 132, theclassification code 320 indicates that the user 132 performed arewardable action (e.g., an action or task rewardable by inclusion ofthe music 328 in the audio piece 360 to be generated as an audio avatarfor the user 132). Hence, performance of operation 722 may includegenerating the audio piece 360 based on the classification code 320indicating that the user 132 performed the rewardable action. Inparticular, the generating of the audio piece 360 may incorporate themusic 328 into the audio piece 360, where the music 328 corresponds tothe rewardable action.

In various example embodiments where the entity is the user 132,operations 724 and 726 may be performed as part of operation 420, inwhich the generation module 220 generates the audio piece 360. Inoperation 724, the generation module 220 accesses a user profile of theuser 132 based on the identifier 310. For example, the user profile maybe accessed from the database 115, and the user profile may be accessedbased on the identifier 310 of the user 132.

Operation 725 may be performed as part of operation 724, in which thegeneration module 220 accesses the user profile based on the identifier310. The user profile may include various information about the user132, and some or all of this various information may be accessed by thegeneration module 220 in performing operation 725. Examples of suchinformation about the user 132 include a seller status of the user 132(e.g., active, highly rated, banned, poorly rated, or new), a browsehistory of the user 132 (e.g., pages viewed or products viewed in thepast month or past year), a purchase history of the user 132 (e.g.,products or items purchased within the past month or past year), apreferred category of the user 132 (e.g., a category from which the user132 has purchased the most items or products within the past month orpast year), or any suitable combination thereof.

Accordingly, in example embodiments where the entity is the user 132,the generation module 220 may perform operation 726 by using the userprofile in generating the audio piece 360. For example, operation 726may be performed by generating the audio piece 360 based on some or allof the various information included in the user profile.

In operation 728, the share module 250 receives an input that referencesthe entity identified by the identifier 310 and represented by the audiopiece 360. For example, supposing the entity is the user 132, the sharemodule 250 may monitor inputs received by the network-based system 105for references to the user 132, and the share module 250 may receivesuch an input that references the user 132 (e.g., by username or by usernumber). As another example, supposing the entity is a product (e.g.,“Brand X digital camera, model 10”), the share module 250 may monitorinputs received by the network-based system 105 for references to theproduct, and the share module may receive such an input that referencesthe product. Accordingly, operation 430 may be performed by thepresentation module 230 in response to the input received in operation728. In various example embodiments, the share module 250 performsadditional functions to support sharing of audio avatars (e.g., audiopiece 360) between or among multiple users (e.g., users 132 and 152).For example, the share module 250 may trigger the performance ofoperation 530, in which the presentation module 230 presents asuggestion that the user 132 share the audio piece 360 with another user(e.g., user 152), and this triggering may be based on the input receivedin operation 728. The share module 250 may monitor the network-basedsystem 105 for information that indicates an event that is related tothe entity identified by identifier 310 and receive an indication of thesocial event as the input received in operation 728. Examples of theinformation that indicates the event include commerce information (e.g.,product searches, views of product web pages, or clicks onadvertisements), transaction information (e.g., purchases, sales,exchanges, or refunds), social networking information (e.g., newfriends, connections, or followers), or any suitable combinationthereof.

Hence, the combination of operations 728 and 430 may result in the audiogeneration machine 110 presenting the audio piece 360 based on (e.g.,triggered by) input that pertains to the entity, and the presentation ofthe audio piece 360 may thereby identify the entity, reference theentity, highlight the entity, suggest the entity, or otherwise call theentity to mind. In situations where the entity is the user 132, theaudio piece 360 may function as an audio avatar of the user 132 and maybe presented (e.g., played) whenever the user 132 is mentioned (e.g., ina welcome message displayed to the user 132, in a message from the user132 to the user 152, or in a web page that describes the user 132). Insituations where the entity is a product, the audio piece 360 mayfunction as an audio avatar of the product and may be presented wheneverthe product is mentioned (e.g., in a web page that describes theproduct, in a message regarding the product, or in an advertisement forthe product).

According to various example embodiments, one or more of themethodologies described herein may facilitate generation of an audiorepresentation of an entity. Moreover, one or more of the methodologiesdescribed herein may facilitate presentation of an audio avatar thatrepresents an entity. Hence, one or more the methodologies describedherein may facilitate composition of music or sounds that correspond toan entity and may enhance one or more communications pertinent to theentity by the addition of supplemental music or sounds.

When these effects are considered in aggregate, one or more of themethodologies described herein may obviate a need for certain efforts orresources that otherwise would be involved in generating, presenting, orcommunicating audio that is representative of an entity. Effortsexpended by a user (e.g., user 132) in generating and sharing an audioavatar that corresponds to the user may be reduced by one or more of themethodologies described herein. Computing resources used by one or moremachines, databases, or devices (e.g., within the network environment100) may similarly be reduced. Examples of such computing resourcesinclude processor cycles, network traffic, memory usage, data storagecapacity, power consumption, and cooling capacity.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine 800,according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from amachine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) andperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation of the machine800 in the example form of a computer system and within whichinstructions 824 (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet,an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine 800 to performany one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed.In alternative embodiments, the machine 800 operates as a standalonedevice or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine 800 may operate in the capacity of aserver machine or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine 800 may be a server computer, a clientcomputer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, a networkrouter, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting the instructions 824, sequentially or otherwise, that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude a collection of machines that individually or jointly executethe instructions 824 to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

The machine 800 includes a processor 802 (e.g., a central processingunit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), aradio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), or any suitable combinationthereof), a main memory 804, and a static memory 806, which areconfigured to communicate with each other via a bus 808. The machine 800may further include a graphics display 810 (e.g., a plasma display panel(PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display(LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The machine 800 mayalso include an alphanumeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), acursor control device 814 (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, ajoystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instrument), a storage unit816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., a speaker), and a networkinterface device 820.

The storage unit 816 includes a machine-readable medium 822 on which isstored the instructions 824 embodying any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 824 mayalso reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory804, within the processor 802 (e.g., within the processor's cachememory), or both, during execution thereof by the machine 800.Accordingly, the main memory 804 and the processor 802 may be consideredas machine-readable media. The instructions 824 may be transmitted orreceived over a network 826 (e.g., network 190) via the networkinterface device 820.

As used herein, the term “memory” refers to a machine-readable mediumable to store data temporarily or permanently and may be taken toinclude, but not be limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), buffer memory, flash memory, and cache memory. While themachine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodiment to be asingle medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken toinclude a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to storeinstructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken toinclude any medium, or combination of multiple media, that is capable ofstoring instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., machine 800),such that the instructions, when executed by one or more processors ofthe machine (e.g., processor 802), cause the machine to perform any oneor more of the methodologies described herein. Accordingly, a“machine-readable medium” refers to a single storage apparatus ordevice, as well as “cloud-based” storage systems or storage networksthat include multiple storage apparatus or devices. The term“machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but notbe limited to, one or more data repositories in the form of asolid-state memory, an optical medium, a magnetic medium, or anysuitable combination thereof.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or ina transmission signal) or hardware modules. A “hardware module” is atangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computersystem, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one ormore hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a groupof processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application orapplication portion) as a hardware module that operates to performcertain operations as described herein.

In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically,electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, ahardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that ispermanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, ahardware module may be a special-purpose processor, such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardwaremodule may include software encompassed within a general-purposeprocessor or other programmable processor. It will be appreciated thatthe decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicatedand permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configuredcircuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and timeconsiderations.

Accordingly, the phrase “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. As used herein,“hardware-implemented module” refers to a hardware module. Consideringembodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g.,programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured orinstantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardwaremodule comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software tobecome a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware modules) at different times. Software mayaccordingly configure a processor, for example, to constitute aparticular hardware module at one instance of time and to constitute adifferent hardware module at a different instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiplehardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achievedthrough signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses)between or among two or more of the hardware modules. In embodiments inwhich multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware modules may beachieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of informationin memory structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access.For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions describedherein. As used herein, “processor-implemented module” refers to ahardware module implemented using one or more processors.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, a processor being an example of hardware. Forexample, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed byone or more processors or processor-implemented modules. Moreover, theone or more processors may also operate to support performance of therelevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “softwareas a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations maybe performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines includingprocessors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g.,the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., anapplication program interface (API)).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithmsor symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits orbinary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g., a computermemory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing artsto convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Asused herein, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operationsor similar processing leading to a desired result. In this context,algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take theform of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of beingstored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwisemanipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using words such as“data,” “content,” “bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,”“characters,” “terms,” “numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words,however, are merely convenient labels and are to be associated withappropriate physical quantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, orother machine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, theterms “a” or “an” are herein used, as is common in patent documents, toinclude one or more than one instance. Finally, as used herein, theconjunction “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or,” unless specificallystated otherwise.

The following enumerated descriptions define various example embodimentsof methods and systems (e.g., apparatus) discussed herein:

1. A system comprising:

an access module configured to access an identifier that uniquelyidentifies an entity among multiple entities that are represented withina database;

a processor configured by a generation module to generate an audio piecerepresentative of the entity based on the identifier that uniquelyidentifies the entity among the multiple entities represented within thedatabase; and

a presentation module configured to present the audio piece that isrepresentative of the entity and that is generated based on theidentifier that uniquely identifies the entity among the multipleentities represented within the database.

2. The system of description 1, wherein:

the processor is configured by the generation module to parse theidentifier into at least a first digit and compose a melody based on thefirst digit parsed from the identifier.

3. A method comprising:

accessing an identifier that uniquely identifies an entity amongmultiple entities that are represented within a database;

generating an audio piece representative of the entity based on theidentifier that uniquely identifies the entity among the multipleentities represented within the database, the generating of the audiopiece being performed by a processor of a machine; andpresenting the audio piece that is representative of the entity and thatis generated based on the identifier that uniquely identifies the entityamong the multiple entities represented within the database.

4. The method of description 3, wherein:

the accessing of the identifier accesses a user identifier that uniquelyidentifies a user of a network-based system among multiple users of thenetwork-based system; and

the generating of the audio piece generates an audio avatar of the user.

5. The method of description 4, wherein:

the user identifier is a user number of the user of the network-basedsystem; and the presenting of the audio piece includes presenting asuggestion that the user share the audio piece with a further user ofthe network-based system.

6. The method of any of descriptions 3-5, wherein:

the accessing of the identifier accesses an item identifier thatuniquely identifies an item that is listed on a network-based system;and

the generating of the audio piece generates an audio representation ofthe item.

7. The method of description 6, wherein:

the item identifier is a listing number assigned to a listing of theitem.

8. The method of any of descriptions 3-7, wherein:

the accessing of the identifier accesses a product identifier thatuniquely identifies a product that is advertised by a network-basedsystem; and

the generating of the audio piece generates an audio representation ofthe product.

9. The method of description 8, wherein:

the product identifier is a stock-keeping unit (SKU) number of theproduct.

10. The method of any of descriptions 3-9, wherein:

the accessing of the identifier accesses a category identifier thatuniquely identifies a category of products that are advertised by anetwork-based system; and

the generating of the audio piece generates an audio representation ofthe category of products.

11. The method of any of descriptions 3-10, wherein:

the accessing of the identifier accesses a catalogue identifier thatuniquely identifies a catalog that describes multiple categories ofproducts; and

the generating of the audio piece generates an audio representation ofthe catalog that describes the multiple categories of products.

12. The method of any of descriptions 3-11 further comprising:

receiving an input that references the entity represented by the audiopiece generated based on the identifier that uniquely identifies theentity; and wherein

the presenting of the audio piece representative of the entity isresponsive to the receiving of the input that references the entityrepresented by the audio piece.

13. The method of any of descriptions 3-12, wherein:

the generating of the audio piece includes extracting a classificationcode from the identifier of the entity; and

the generating of the audio piece is based on the classification codeextracted from the identifier of the entity.

14. The method of description 13, wherein:

the classification code indicates that the entity is a user with atenure that transgresses a threshold value; and

the generating of the audio piece is based on the tenure of the usertransgressing the threshold value.

15. The method of description 13 or description 14, wherein:

the classification code indicates that the entity is a user thatperformed a rewardable action; and

the generating of the audio piece incorporates music that corresponds tothe rewardable action into the audio piece.

16. The method of any of descriptions 13-15, wherein:

the classification code indicates that the entity corresponds to ageographical region; and

the generating of the audio piece includes selecting a musicalinstrument voice based on the geographical region of the entity.

17. The method of any of descriptions 13-16, wherein:

the classification code indicates that the entity corresponds to ageographical region; and

the generating of the audio piece includes selecting a musical stylebased on the geographical region of the entity.

18. The method of any of descriptions 13-17, wherein:

the classification code indicates that the entity is a member of acategory that includes some of the multiple entities represented in thedatabase; and

the generating of the audio piece includes selecting a musical stylethat corresponds to the category of which the entity is the member.

19. The method of any of descriptions 3-18, wherein:

the generating of the audio piece includes accessing a user profilebased on the identifier of the entity; and

the generating of the audio piece is based on the user profile.

20. The method of description 19, wherein:

the user profile includes at least one of a seller status of a user, abrowse history of the user, a purchase history of the user, or apreferred category of the user.

21. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine,cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

accessing an identifier that uniquely identifies an entity amongmultiple entities that are represented within a database;

generating an audio piece representative of the entity based on theidentifier that uniquely identifies the entity among the multipleentities represented within the database, the generating of the audiopiece being performed by the one or more processors of the machine; andpresenting the audio piece that is representative of the entity and thatis generated based on the identifier that uniquely identifies the entityamong the multiple entities represented within the database.

22. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of description21, wherein:

the generating of the audio piece includes parsing the identifier intoat least a first digit and a second digit and composing music that has amelody based on the first digit parsed from the identifier and has aharmony based on the second digit parsed from the identifier.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: an access module configuredto access an identifier that uniquely identifies an entity amongmultiple entities that are represented within a database; a processorconfigured by a generation module to generate an audio piecerepresentative of the entity based on the identifier that uniquelyidentifies the entity among the multiple entities represented within thedatabase, generation of the audio piece including parsing the identifierinto at least a first digit and composing a melody based on the firstdigit parsed from the identifier; and a presentation module configuredto present the audio piece that is representative of the entity and isgenerated based on the identifier that uniquely identifies the entityamong the multiple entities represented within the database.
 2. A methodcomprising: accessing an identifier that uniquely identifies an entityamong multiple entities that are represented within a database;generating an audio piece representative of the entity based on theidentifier that uniquely identifies the entity among the multipleentities represented within the database, the generating of the audiopiece including parsing the identifier into at least a first digit andcomposing a melody based on the first digit parsed from the identifier,the generating of the audio piece being performed by a processor of amachine; and presenting the audio piece that is representative of theentity and is generated based on the identifier that uniquely identifiesthe entity among the multiple entities represented within the database.3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the accessing of the identifieraccesses a user identifier that uniquely identifies a user of anetwork-based system among multiple users of the network-based system;and the generating of the audio piece generates an audio avatar of theuser.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the user identifier is a usernumber of the user of the network-based system; and the presenting ofthe audio piece includes presenting a suggestion that the user share theaudio piece with a further user of the network-based system.
 5. Themethod of claim 2, wherein: the accessing of the identifier accesses anitem identifier that uniquely identifies an item that is listed by anetwork-based system; and the generating of the audio piece generates anaudio representation of the item.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein: theitem identifier is a listing number assigned to a listing of the item.7. The method of claim 2, wherein: the accessing of the identifieraccesses a product identifier that uniquely identifies a product that isadvertised by a network-based system; and the generating of the audiopiece generates an audio representation of the product.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein: the product identifier is a stock-keeping unit (SKU)number of the product.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein: the accessingof the identifier accesses a category identifier that uniquelyidentifies a category of products that are advertised by a network-basedsystem; and the generating of the audio piece generates an audiorepresentation of the category of products.
 10. The method of claim 2,wherein: the accessing of the identifier accesses a catalogue identifierthat uniquely identifies a catalog that describes multiple categories ofproducts; and the generating of the audio piece generates an audiorepresentation of the catalog that describes the multiple categories ofproducts.
 11. The method of claim 2 further comprising: receiving aninput that references the entity represented by the audio piecegenerated based on the identifier that uniquely identifies the entity;and wherein the presenting of the audio piece representative of theentity is responsive to the receiving of the input that references theentity represented by the audio piece.
 12. The method of claim 2,wherein: the generating of the audio piece includes extracting aclassification code from the identifier of the entity; and thegenerating of the audio piece is based on the classification codeextracted from the identifier of the entity.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein: the classification code indicates that the entity is a userwith a tenure that transgresses a threshold value; and the generating ofthe audio piece is based on the tenure of the user transgressing thethreshold value.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein: the classificationcode indicates that the entity is a user that performed a rewardableaction; and the generating of the audio piece incorporates music thatcorresponds to the rewardable action into the audio piece.
 15. Themethod of claim 12, wherein: the classification code indicates that theentity corresponds to a geographical region; and the generating of theaudio piece includes selecting a musical instrument voice based on thegeographical region of the entity.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein:the classification code indicates that the entity corresponds to ageographical region; and the generating of the audio piece includesselecting a musical style based on the geographical region of theentity.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein: the classification codeindicates that the entity is a member of a category that includes someof the multiple entities represented in the database; and the generatingof the audio piece includes selecting a musical style that correspondsto the category of which the entity is the member.
 18. The method ofclaim 2, wherein: the generating of the audio piece includes accessing auser profile based on the identifier of the entity; and the generatingof the audio piece is based on the user profile.
 19. The method of claim18, wherein: the user profile includes at least one of a seller statusof a user, a browse history of the user, a purchase history of the user,or a preferred category of the user.
 20. A non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine toperform operations comprising: accessing an identifier that uniquelyidentifies an entity among multiple entities that are represented withina database; generating an audio piece representative of the entity basedon the identifier that uniquely identifies the entity among the multipleentities represented within the database, the generating of the audiopiece including parsing the identifier into at least a first digit andcomposing a melody based on the first digit parsed from the identifier,the generating of the audio piece being performed by the one or moreprocessors of the machine; and presenting the audio piece that isrepresentative of the entity and is generated based on the identifierthat uniquely identifies the entity among the multiple entitiesrepresented within the database.
 21. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 20, wherein: the generating of the audio pieceincludes parsing the identifier into at least the first digit and asecond digit and composing music that has the melody based on the firstdigit parsed from the identifier and has a harmony based on the seconddigit parsed from the identifier.